By Design: Books 4-6, page 31
Candace shook her head affectionately at her former partner. Jessica making a trip to Toledo was anything but ordinary. “Sure it did,” Candace said.
“Can somebody help me here?” Jameson asked.
Candace smiled at her wife. “She’s not going to take Cooper.”
“What does that mean?” Jameson asked.
Jessica tried not to laugh at Jameson’s innocence at the moment. Fear and hopefulness mingled in Jameson’s eyes. Jessica watched Candace closely, realizing that as much as she had shared with the former governor, not once had Candace looked at her the way Candace was looking at Jameson now. As strange as it might have seemed to some people—that realization made Jessica Stearns happier than she could recall.
“It means that once the state closes its case on the kinship report, which should happen quickly, you should be able to move into the adoption process. I put a call into the director here at the regional Albany office this morning,” Jessica said. “I’ve known her for years. She used to work in the city. Her name is Sarah Milton. Of course, you can use a private agency if you prefer, and I will understand if you would prefer someone take over from here—”
“No,” Candace said. “If we’re doing this, and you are willing.”
“Of course, I am willing,” Jessica told Candace. Candace smiled.
“Doing?” Jameson asked. “Can someone catch me up?”
Candace turned at offered Jameson a bright smile. “Jessica is saying she will handle the adoption for us, Jameson. Assuming that is still what you want.”
Jameson’s jaw dropped and she looked at Jessica in disbelief, afraid to believe what she had just heard.
“She really is adorable,” Jessica joked to Candace.
“Jameson?” Candace directed Jameson’s attention back to her.
“You mean we can try to adopt Cooper?” Jameson asked. Candace nodded.
“I never like to discount issues,” Jessica said. “I don’t foresee any, though—if that makes you feel any better.”
“Should we? Move to foster first” Candace asked.
Jessica shrugged. “You could. I don’t see the need. The fact is, that process will take as long. You have an advocate in Ginny Ross. You’ll have no issue with a home study, character references, and you are financially sound. I don’t anticipate issues.”
“So? What happens?”
“We fill out the application. I work with the agency along with you. From what I understand, Cooper will be placed temporarily here in Albany. You will be asked to complete visitations. Probably beginning at his foster home and gradually moving to longer visits spent here, likely with Ms. Ross or someone else present. It’s checks and balances,” Jessica explained. “Once that is completed, they will move to place him in your home,” Jessica said.
“That’s it?” Jameson asked. “It’s that easy.”
“Not easy. Frankly, you are at an advantage because of Candace,” Jessica said flatly. “And, you are at an advantage because you have the financial resources. And, you are at an advantage because Cooper is a little older, not white and needs placement.”
“What does that mean?” Jameson asked. “He’s not white? What does that have to do with anything?”
“It shouldn’t,” Jessica agreed. “But, it does. And, Jameson Cooper’s background would not make it easier for him to get adopted either. To be honest, without you and Candace, I would expect bhe would likely fall into the system.”
Jameson felt sick. Immediately, she wondered how many Coopers there were out there without anyone who wanted them. Candace sensed the shift in her wife and squeezed her hand again.
“Jessica, what do you need from us?”
“Nothing right now. I’ll need you to sign some papers next week.”
“You are not doing this for free,” Candace said flatly.
“Yes, I am,” Jessica replied firmly. “And, don’t think about arguing with me. You can buy me dinner.”
“I should buy you a restaurant for what you’ve already done,” Candace said.
“Too much work,” Jessica scoffed at the notion making Candace laugh. “Do me a favor?” Jessica looked at Jameson.
“Anything,” Jameson said.
“Don’t let her read that folder without a bottle of wine. She’s going to get pissed when she reads what Ms. Cosgrove had to say about your future son.”
Jameson nodded dumbly as Candace made her way to her feet to escort Jessica out. “I owe you,” Candace said as she opened the door of her office.
“No, you don’t,” Jessica said honestly. “You know, I will always care about you, Candy. It might not be the way it was, but I never stopped caring about you or the kids.”
“I do know,” Candace said.
“Besides, you might need me to keep Shell calm.”
Candace laughed. “I’m glad she called you.”
“Me too,” Jessica agreed. “I’ll be in touch.”
Candace hugged Jessica and kissed her on the cheek. “You know, you always were a big softie.”
“I’ll keep your secrets,” Jessica winked. “You keep mine.”
Candace watched Jessica leave and laughed. She closed the door again and turned back to Jameson. “You okay?”
Jameson looked at Candace and nodded. “Candace?”
“Yeah?”
“This means I’ll be somebody’s mom?”
Candace grinned. “Just realizing that?”
“What if I suck?”
Candace laughed. “I’m not worried about that at all.”
“What if I lose him or something?” Jameson asked seriously.
“You haven’t lost Spencer yet.”
“I know where to look for him,” Jameson said. “What if Cooper—”
Candace silenced Jameson with a kiss. “You will be amazing,” she said assuredly.
“You think?” Jameson asked.
“No, I know,” Candace said.
“You’re sure, right? That you want to do this?”
Candace smiled. “Jameson, if you had told me when we met that we would be sitting in The Governor’s Mansion talking about being parents, I would have told you to have me committed.”
“But?”
“Things change,” Candace said. “I don’t think there is much I would be afraid to do with you. And, I don’t think there is anything I would rather do than this. That’s the truth.”
Jameson leaned in and kissed Candace on the forehead. “Never boring, is it?”
“Not in this family.”
Two Months Later
“Nervous?” Jameson asked her wife.
“Maybe a little,” Candace admitted with a smile.
Jameson grinned. “Me too.”
Jameson looked ahead to the Cape Cod home in front of them. Ginny Ross and Spencer’s foster mom Elaine were standing in the doorway.
“Ginny,” Candace greeted the social worker. “Hello, Elaine.”
“Governor,” Ginny Ross smiled. “He’s waiting in his bedroom,” she told Candace and Jameson.
“Is it all right if we…” Candace began to ask.
Elaine nodded. “I’m not sure he really understands,” she told Candace and Jameson. “I mean, that he gets to stay with you.”
Candace nodded her understanding and took Jameson’s hand and they made their way up the stairs to Cooper’s bedroom. Cooper was sitting on the bed with a pad of paper and his crayons. A blue suitcase sat by the door topped by a floppy, stuffed frog.
“Cooper?” Candace called into the room.
Cooper looked up, smiled, threw his project down and ran to Candace.
“Well, that is some greeting,” Candace commented.
Candace and Jameson had been visiting with Cooper regularly over the last two months. As Jessica had guessed, the visits started here at Cooper’s foster home. Elaine Rand was a woman in her sixties who had been caring for children like Cooper for over thirty years. She had been a social worker at one time and Candace was grateful that Cooper had been under Elaine’s compassionate care while she and Jameson traversed what at times could be a convoluted system. Gradually, visit times increased and Cooper had finally been allowed to stay with Candace and Jameson overnight a handful of times.
Candace had been surprised by her children’s reaction to the news that Cooper would be joining their family, Michelle, as she expected, raised a number of concerns about Candace’s career. Jonah had accepted the news with a smile, which had not surprised her. It was Marianne who had completely taken Candace off guard. She found herself recalling Marianne’s words as Cooper wrapped his arms around her legs.
“Shell, knock it off,” Marianne told her younger sister.
“What? You of all people…”
Marianne anticipated where her sister was heading and stopped her cold. “I was wrong about a lot of things,” she said. “Why shouldn’t JD and Mom have kids if that’s what they want? You’re the one who said that to me.”
“Yeah, but Mom wasn’t governor then.”
“So? Mom is still Mom, Shell.”
Candace sat listening to her daughters’ conversation, curious as to where it would lead. She caught a glimpse of Jameson across the room watching curiously as well.
“Marianne, I’m not saying that Mom and JD can’t have kids. I’m just saying that they should think about the future.”
“Hello! We are sitting right here,” Jameson reminded them. Michelle looked at Jameson and waved her off. Jameson looked across the room at Candace, who had arched her brow in amusement.
“Your sisters are insane,” Laura whispered in Jonah’s ear. He laughed.
“For someone who liked to accuse me of being selfish, you sure are playing the role well,” Marianne said to Michelle.
“How am I being selfish?” Michelle asked.
“You want Mom to run for higher office. That’s what this is about. I could be selfish too, you know? Mom and JD have Spencer and Maddie a lot right now—”
“Marianne,” Jameson reached over to Marianne, who was sitting in a chair beside her. “Spencer and Maddie are always welcome. Always. Don’t think that is changing,” she said.
Marianne smiled at Jameson. “JD, I know that, but I also know that this little boy will need both you and Mom, just like Spencer and Maddie need me. I would hope, well—I hope I can help you sometime too.”
Candace bit her lip to contain a rising tide of emotion. Loss tended to change people. It brought them to earth. She could see evidence of that in Marianne.
“Well, I think it’s cool,” Jonah said. “Not that anyone ever asks me.”
“You think everything is cool,” Michelle laughed.
“Not true,” Jonah said. “I’m a little peeved they get to skip the diaper phase.” Marianne laughed.
“Umm? Excuse me?” Candace chimed. “I’ve changed more diapers than everyone in this room put together, thank you very much.”
Jonah held up his hand in defense. “I’m just being honest,” he said, receiving a slight poke from Laura.
“Look,” Candace changed the tenor in the room. “Assuming that everything works out, Cooper will need to know that you all accept him. He hasn’t had the kind of support any of us have enjoyed,” Candace said. “And, he looks different than our family. He will need all of you to make him believe and understand that he is part of this family.”
“I really hope you can all support this,” Jameson said quietly.
Michelle rolled her eyes and threw up her hands. “Of course, we support you,” she said. “Don’t be stupid, JD.”
Candace laughed. “You sure do have a way with words, Shell.”
“Learned from the best, Mom.”
“JD.” Marianne turned to Jameson with tears in her eyes. “Cooper is a lucky kid to have someone like you and Mom want to be his parents,” she said honestly. “We all are.”
Jameson noted the tear rolling over Candace’s cheek. Cooper was wrapped around her legs and Candace was stroking his head. Jameson’s heart warmed and fluttered at the sight. Each time they had been forced to leave Cooper had become increasingly difficult for them both. And, Jameson was sure it had been equally hard on the little boy at their feet.
“Coop?” Jameson squatted down. Cooper pulled away from Candace slightly and smiled at Jameson. “How would you like to go home with us?” she asked.
Cooper looked up at Candace, who raised her brow and nodded. “Jay?” he asked Jameson.
“Yes, Coop?”
“All night?” he asked.
Candace knelt down beside Jameson and looked at Cooper. “Every night, Cooper,” she said.
Cooper seemed to consider her answer. He loved Candace, but he still had not figured out how to address her. Spencer called her Nana and most of the adults called her Mom. It puzzled him. He had taken to calling her Miss C. because Elaine would always announce when Miss Jameson and Miss Candace were coming to see him.”
“Miss C.?” he asked politely. Candace waited for him to continue. “Eggs too?” he asked her.
“Yes, Cooper, I will make you eggs for breakfast whenever I can,” she promised.
“Spen?” he looked at her.
“Spencer is not there right now, no. He will be over this weekend, though,” Candace promised. “And, so will everyone else you’ve met.”
“Grandma?” he asked her.
Candace laughed. “Yes, Grandma Pearl too.”
Cooper smiled. “Can we go?”
Jameson laughed. “I thought you’d never ask,” she said. She watched as Cooper grabbed hold of Candace’s hand. Jameson retrieved Cooper’s suitcase and passed him his stuffed frog. She remembered the day Spencer had given it to Cooper. Froggie, as Spencer called him, had been Spencer’s bedmate and playmate ever since Jameson could remember. One afternoon, Jameson had come into the living room at the farmhouse to get Cooper ready to go home. Cooper has started to cry. He made no sound, but the moment that Spencer had seen the tears falling down his friend’s cheeks, he had run to retrieve Froggie.
“Take Froggie,” Spencer told Cooper. Cooper accepted the frog with wide eyes. “He knows the way back,” Spencer said.
Cooper looked up at Jameson and Candace as the approached the stairs. “Chicken fingers?”
Jameson laughed. “I give up,” she said. “Between you and Spencer I will never get to have pizza.” Cooper looked puzzled. Jameson laughed harder. “Chicken fingers it is,” she said.
“And, mac and cheese,” Cooper declared.
“Well, at least, that’s a little variety,” Jameson commented. “And, something I can actually handle. Okay, chicken fingers and mac and cheese for you,” she said. “And, fortune cookies for you,” Jameson whispered in Candace’s ear.
“Why?” Candace whispered back. “Hoping to get lucky?”
“Nah, I think I already got the best fortune.”
“Goodnight, Cooper,” Candace said, placing a kiss on his head. Cooper looked up at her. “What is it, sweetheart?” she asked.
“Will Jay take me home tomorrow?”
Candace smiled. “No, Cooper. This is home now. Jay and I will be here when you wake up and when you go to sleep again,” she told him.
“Two sleeps?” he asked excitedly.
“Every sleep, Cooper. This is your bed now. Your room.”
“Ten sleeps?” he asked with a smile.
“A thousand sleeps,” Candace promised.
“A million?” he bounced under the covers.
“A million, Cooper,” Candace said. Cooper’s smile brought another round of tears to Candace’s eyes.
“Hey, you two,” Jameson popped her head in. “I wanted to say goodnight.”
“Jay! I get a million sleeps here.”
Jameson chuckled. “That’s a lot of sleeps, huh?”
“Yeah. More than a thousand,” Cooper said.
“It is more than a thousand,” Jameson agreed. She made her way to Cooper and kissed him on the head.
“Spen was right.”
“Spencer was right about what?” Candace wondered.
“Froggie knows the way,” Cooper said. He cuddled the stuffed frog and closed his eyes.
“Froggie knows the way?” Candace whispered to Jameson as they left the room.
“Spencer told him that Froggie knew the way home,” Jameson explained. “That’s why he gave Froggie to Coop.”
Candace nodded. “They really are something, those two.”
“Yep.”
Jameson led Candace into their bedroom and watched as Candace shed her clothing and replaced it with a long T-shirt before hopping into bed. Jameson followed her normal routine and slipped on a pair of pajama pants and a T-shirt. She was emotionally and physically drained in the best of ways. Jameson could tell Candace was in the same place. Candace’s eyes twinkled amid the circles beneath them. Jameson grabbed something from inside her nightstand and climbed into bed beside her wife. She handed the small slip of paper to Candace.
“What’s this?” Candace asked.
“You won’t remember. I told you a while back I got an interesting fortune about Cooper.”
Candace unfurled the paper and read it: A short stranger will soon enter your life with blessings to share.
Candace chuckled. “Are you adding in bed to that one?” she joked.
“Might as well, if he is anything like Spence we’ll need a bigger bed.”
Candace laughed and settled herself into Jameson’s arms. “I love you, Jameson.”
Jameson held Candace close. She breathed in Candace’s scent and sighed. So many things had changed for both of them since they had met. Jameson thought about Cooper’s excitement over a million sleeps. She understood. There was something indescribable in finding home, in knowing that a million sleeps would never be enough because you were finally home.
“I love you,” Jameson said. “I had another fortune tonight you know?”
Candace pried one eye open. “Oh?”
“Yeah, it said: Now is the time to try something new…In bed.”
Candace grinned. “Right on the money again. It’s called sleep.”
Jameson laughed. “Goodnight, Candace.”
“Goodnight, Lunatic.”
